A Review of Light Shelf Designs for Daylit Environments

Antonis Kontadakis, Aris Tsangrassoulis, Lambros Doulos and Stelios Zerefos
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Antonis Kontadakis: Department of Architecture, University of Thessaly, Pedion Areos, 38334 Volos, Greece
Aris Tsangrassoulis: Department of Architecture, University of Thessaly, Pedion Areos, 38334 Volos, Greece
Lambros Doulos: Department of Architecture, University of Thessaly, Pedion Areos, 38334 Volos, Greece
Stelios Zerefos: School of Applied Arts, Hellenic Open University, Parodos Aristotelous, 18, 26335 Patras, Greece

Sustainability, 2017, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-24

Abstract: Light shelves have been discussed in numerous studies as suitable solutions for controlling daylight in side-lit spaces. It is a system that can be easily modified, offering a range of design solutions. It can be easily mounted on the exterior and/or the interior of a vertical opening, it can come in various shapes from static flat forms to curved reflective surfaces, or it can even be actively controlled. A light shelf can offer shading and at the same time can redirect a significant part of the incoming light flux towards the ceiling improving daylight uniformity. Due to the aforesaid functions, light shelves are among the most popular system design solutions when it comes to daylight exploitation. The purpose of this paper is twofold. Firstly, to present the main research findings in relation to light shelves as daylighting systems and secondly to analyze the results, trying to establish a common basis for some efficient and practical design rules. The present paper is a review of the research realized in the last three decades concerning these systems together with their associated implications in a building’s daylight performance as well as in its energy balance in a few cases. In addition, the critical review of their design principles is included, which makes the presented information useful for design teams trying to select the optimal available system for any specific project.

Keywords: light shelf; innovative daylighting systems; daylighting devices; shading devices; sunlight redirection (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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